Chiefs Nicholas Athan hits the big time

Hammock Parties · 07-30-2010, 10:14 PM

This is awesome.

Lilja glad to be back home

http://www.foxsportskansascity.com/0...70&feedID=5112

By Nicholas Athan
FOXSportsKansasCity.com and WarpaintIllustrated.com
July 30, 2010

One of the Kansas City Chiefs biggest offseason moves was the addition of Guard Ryan Lilja. On Friday afternoon, after his workout in Kansas City, there was no doubt that he was glad to be back home and in a Chiefs uniform.

Back in 2004 it was a dream come true for the Kansas State product to become a member of the Kansas City Chiefs. After a solid four-year stint for the Wildcats, the local boy signed an undrafted free agent contract to play for the team he watched growing up in Kansas City.

But then head coach Dick Vermeil felt that even though Lilja was solid in the pre-season, he needed to keep another defensive player. The hope was that Lilja would clear waivers and then could be assigned to the practice squad.

Well, that didn’t happen. The Indianapolis Colts snatched him up and for the next five seasons he was their starting guard, playing in front All-World quarterback Peyton Manning. It’s still unknown why the Colts cut their starting guard of five seasons, but some indicate that the team wasn’t happy with his performance in last season’s Super Bowl loss to the New Orleans Saints.

In league circles it was a big surprise that he was dumped. But the Chiefs acted fast and locked him down for three years.

This time, the man who played high school ball at Shawnee Mission Northwest in Kansas, plans on staying around a bit longer.

“I’m fifty minutes from my home town,” Lilja said to reporters on Friday. “It’s a special thing for me.”

In fact his addition could be very special for the Kansas City Chiefs in 2010. Last year the offensive line had their struggles trying to find five guys that could protect battered quarterback Matt Cassel.

Though they played well down the stretch, especially in the running game, they never really were able to give Cassel enough times to make multiple reads in passing plays. When they were able to protect him, his completion percentage was off the charts.

Still, this is a change from his Colts days, and he admits this offense isn’t yet on cruise control like it was under Manning.

“There was a lot of continuity up there,” Lilja said of the Colts’ offense. “That’s obviously a positive. But this is a talented team and I’m excited to see how good we can be.”

And so are the Chiefs, who may have finally added the one piece of the puzzle along the offensive line that could give Cassel more time to throw the ball.

milkman · 07-30-2010, 10:20 PM

"The one piece of the puzzle along the offensive line"

What a dumbass.

-King- · 07-30-2010, 10:23 PM

Welp, now im sure the world is ending in 2012.
Posted via Mobile Device

KCrockaholic · 07-30-2010, 10:23 PM

If he can be as good as Wade Smith he will be a successful addition. Smith truly did a solid job last year over the last few games.

LaChapelle · 07-30-2010, 10:24 PM

Did Cassel get the 7 herbs and spices
or just a run of the mill beer batter

Sure-Oz · 07-30-2010, 10:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by milkman

"The one piece of the puzzle along the offensive line"

What a dumbass.

SPATCH · 07-30-2010, 10:41 PM

Journalism? Nay. I say poetry.

SoCalBronco · 07-30-2010, 11:01 PM

I'm trying to figure out how the **** Athan could get a gig at Fox Sports when he couldn't even write a grammatically correct paragraph without Clayton cleaning up his messes?

Agent V · 07-30-2010, 11:05 PM

"But then"

You don't use "but then." There's no excuse for "but then." This isn't the script for a ****ing movie trailer.

wasi · 07-30-2010, 11:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kcrockaholic4life

If he can be as good as Wade Smith he will be a successful addition. Smith truly did a solid job last year over the last few games.

Wade Smith? Lilja started for 4 years, won a championship and played in another, and your comparing him to Wade Smith?

07-30-2010, 11:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoCalBronco

I'm trying to figure out how the **** Athan could get a gig at Fox Sports when he couldn't even write a grammatically correct paragraph without Clayton cleaning up his messes?

The guy should demand a refund from KU.

Psyko Tek · 07-30-2010, 11:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoCalBronco

I'm trying to figure out how the **** Athan could get a gig at Fox Sports when he couldn't even write a grammatically correct paragraph without Clayton cleaning up his messes?

fair and balanced ?

big nasty kcnut · 07-31-2010, 12:06 AM

I'm going to die am i? nick el capitone bundle of sticks athan is on fox sport.

**Manila-Chief** · 07-31-2010, 07:06 AM

Okay ... so, what was "news" in his whole article? Maybe, "But this is a talented team...." Seems like wasted space to me.

**Dave Lane** · 07-31-2010, 07:26 AM

That's one of his best articles ever. Mostly because he didn't use many words.

07-30-2010, 10:14 PM
Hammock Parties I'll be back. Join Date: Nov 2002 Casino cash: $810478	Nicholas Athan hits the big time This is awesome. Lilja glad to be back home http://www.foxsportskansascity.com/0...70&feedID=5112 By Nicholas Athan FOXSportsKansasCity.com and WarpaintIllustrated.com July 30, 2010 One of the Kansas City Chiefs biggest offseason moves was the addition of Guard Ryan Lilja. On Friday afternoon, after his workout in Kansas City, there was no doubt that he was glad to be back home and in a Chiefs uniform. Back in 2004 it was a dream come true for the Kansas State product to become a member of the Kansas City Chiefs. After a solid four-year stint for the Wildcats, the local boy signed an undrafted free agent contract to play for the team he watched growing up in Kansas City. But then head coach Dick Vermeil felt that even though Lilja was solid in the pre-season, he needed to keep another defensive player. The hope was that Lilja would clear waivers and then could be assigned to the practice squad. Well, that didn’t happen. The Indianapolis Colts snatched him up and for the next five seasons he was their starting guard, playing in front All-World quarterback Peyton Manning. It’s still unknown why the Colts cut their starting guard of five seasons, but some indicate that the team wasn’t happy with his performance in last season’s Super Bowl loss to the New Orleans Saints. In league circles it was a big surprise that he was dumped. But the Chiefs acted fast and locked him down for three years. This time, the man who played high school ball at Shawnee Mission Northwest in Kansas, plans on staying around a bit longer. “I’m fifty minutes from my home town,” Lilja said to reporters on Friday. “It’s a special thing for me.” In fact his addition could be very special for the Kansas City Chiefs in 2010. Last year the offensive line had their struggles trying to find five guys that could protect battered quarterback Matt Cassel. Though they played well down the stretch, especially in the running game, they never really were able to give Cassel enough times to make multiple reads in passing plays. When they were able to protect him, his completion percentage was off the charts. Still, this is a change from his Colts days, and he admits this offense isn’t yet on cruise control like it was under Manning. “There was a lot of continuity up there,” Lilja said of the Colts’ offense. “That’s obviously a positive. But this is a talented team and I’m excited to see how good we can be.” And so are the Chiefs, who may have finally added the one piece of the puzzle along the offensive line that could give Cassel more time to throw the ball.
Posts: 297,432

07-30-2010, 10:20 PM	#2
milkman Dumbass! Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Leading the Marty bashing Casino cash: $10029395	"The one piece of the puzzle along the offensive line" What a dumbass. __________________
Posts: 70,769

07-30-2010, 10:23 PM	#3
-King- ▓▓▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▓▓ Join Date: Jan 2009 Casino cash: $-1414257	Welp, now im sure the world is ending in 2012. Posted via Mobile Device
Posts: 65,479

07-30-2010, 10:23 PM	#4
KCrockaholic Sarcasm Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Olathe Casino cash: $3322900	If he can be as good as Wade Smith he will be a successful addition. Smith truly did a solid job last year over the last few games.
Posts: 21,179

07-30-2010, 10:24 PM	#5
LaChapelle Banned Join Date: Mar 2009 Casino cash: $10004900	Did Cassel get the 7 herbs and spices or just a run of the mill beer batter
Posts: 8,588

07-30-2010, 10:41 PM	#7
SPATCH birth of spatch Join Date: May 2008 Casino cash: $10006207	Journalism? Nay. I say poetry.
Posts: 4,569

07-30-2010, 11:01 PM	#8
SoCalBronco Nixonite Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Arcadia, CA Casino cash: $10006115	I'm trying to figure out how the **** Athan could get a gig at Fox Sports when he couldn't even write a grammatically correct paragraph without Clayton cleaning up his messes?
Posts: 1,054

07-30-2010, 11:05 PM	#9
Agent V Bring me Geno. Join Date: Sep 2006 Casino cash: $10004900	"But then" You don't use "but then." There's no excuse for "but then." This isn't the script for a ****ing movie trailer.
Posts: 1,938

07-31-2010, 12:06 AM	#13
big nasty kcnut The pizza king of kansas Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Somewhere in the u.s.a. Casino cash: $-2219100	I'm going to die am i? nick el capitone bundle of sticks athan is on fox sport. __________________ When it's grim, be the grim reaper and go get it. Adopt a chiefs Travis Kelce. You woke up the wrong mother****er!
Posts: 19,418

07-31-2010, 07:06 AM	#14
Manila-Chief Supporter Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Memphis/Miss Casino cash: $10006883	Okay ... so, what was "news" in his whole article? Maybe, "But this is a talented team...." Seems like wasted space to me.
Posts: 2,152

07-31-2010, 07:26 AM	#15
Dave Lane Space Cadet and Aczabel Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Kanab, UT, USA Casino cash: $9333275 VARSITY	That's one of his best articles ever. Mostly because he didn't use many words. __________________ Thanks, Trump for the civics lesson. We are learning so much about RICO, espionage, sedition, impeachment, the 25th Amendment, order of succession, nepotism, separation of powers, 1st Amendment, obstruction of justice, the emoluments clause, conflicts of interest, collusion, sanctions, oligarchs, money laundering and so much more.
Posts: 40,584